Underenthused By the Educator Based Social Network

So after a week of using Teacher Recess, I am not wowed by it. Know I know you can be overwhelmed and I know you can underwhelmed, but can you just be whelmed? (besides in Europe). If you can, then I think that is how I feel about my experience with Teacher Recess.
I do feel that the site has some good material and the filing cabinet offers a lot of excellent lessons but I think the social part of the site is lacking. If you want my opinion, I feel that most teachers are too busy to join a teacher based social networking program and keep up with updating it. Especially if they belong to Facebook or Twitter (what need would you have with another social network).
All in all, I will continue to try my best to stay connected to Teacher Recess, but I know that socially it doesn't offer enough for me.

Another Entry about TeacherReccess

So I feel a bit like the kid picked last in dodgeball, haha. I have put a few friend requests out on TR but no bites. Thank goodness other Paul has become my friend or I would have really thought I was a big loser, lol.
I think this helps me to form a clear assumption that TR users do not check the site as much as, say, Facebook users. Which is crazy because it seems like a great site full of helpful stuff.
I searched the Teacher community a lot today. I am trying to find some people to befriend in California to pick their brains about teaching out there. It is my dream to eventually head that way. I'll let you know what other adventures I get into.
Stay Golden.

Joining a PLC

   I am no stranger to a professional learning community or PLC. However, joining one specifically created for teachers in cyberspace is a new adventure for me.
   The PLC I joined is called Teacher Recess. I like it because it is heavily based on a common social networking site.  I can add friends and send messages. And just like any other profile site, Teacher Recess lets me upload pictures and videos.
   The added teacher bonuses include such things as a file sharing area called the "File Cabinet," tons of groups created based on a number of topics, and a Craigslist-like area that you can buy, sell and exchange things.
I have sent out a few friend requested and checked out some files and exchanges.
   Throughout the week I will continue to explore the site and keep you readers updated on what I find and any thoughts I think.

Stay Golden.

Webpaging

Wow. I didn't even notice that 6 years has gone by since my last post. I have been working on my webpage like a mad man. 
Over the past few weeks, I have found a lot of great programs and ideas for my website (and to use in the classroom).  The use of video and image sharing has become so popular that I am sure I will find a way to incorporate them into my site.
I'll stop back in soon.
Stay Golden.

Accessibility

The word "accessibility," in Wikipedia's terms, is simply put: the degree to which a product, device, service, or environment is available to as many people as possible. It makes sense as to why we use the term when it comes to web design. One who makes a webpage usually doesn't want to keep the site to himself. He wants to share the site and in order to have a popular/successful site he has to be sure it is accessible by it's users.

One big thing that has changed just over the past five years is the number of smart devices that people can use to access their favorite sites. You have mobile phones, tablets like the ipad, e-readers like the kindle, even mp3 players and GPS units have access to web browsers these days. With this in mind, one of the best bets for your website is to have a mobile version for the accessibility of on-the-go users.

Of course, I have found, that mobile device accessibility is not the only characteristic of a good site. Some other things you have to keep in mind are visual impairments, audio assistance, and physical/mobility issues. When looking at a site or creating your own a good place to start an evaluation is with the Web Accessibility Initiation's (WAI) guidelines. They range from text language to color choice.

I think this week of accessibility has really opened my eyes to some key things I will need to include in my webpage design.

Stay Golden

Stop, COLLABORATE, and Listen

In 2011, it is hard not to take an online class and not have to collaborate with your peers. The nice thing is that ways of communicating are getting easier and easier. You don't agree? Read Thomas L. Friedman's  The World is Flat and you may opinion may change.

Because last week's and this week's lessons focused around collaboration (and the evaluation of webpages, which I will mention at the end) it really got me thinking about all of the tools one can use to connect, communicate, and, of course, collaborate.

Personally, I feel that the easiest to use and set up is Google Docs. I have even had real time conversations (instant message style) using a Google Doc before. Other great connection tools are Skype, Elluminate, and even Facebook events/messenger/groups.

After working with my team to make the assessment rubric, I now have a hard time not thinking about the different assessment characteristics. The assignment really opened my eyes to qualities that make up a good website.

Like Riding a Bike

It was like going into the garage and pulling the bike down from it's dusty hideout up on the hanging hook. I wiped off the cobwebs on hopped on. At first, I was a bit unsteady. I wobbled a bit with anxious pedals, but before long I was cruising along like I never left the bike behind.
This is exactly how I felt when I started using the HTML codes this week. The last time I used them was in high school. Since then, internet tools and webpage making programs have made it so easy to create pages that my 90 year old grandma, Viola, can make one (actually I think she does have one).
I don't want to sound crazy, but in a way using the HTML code is kind of fun. You put all of this screwy computer type onto a page and BAM! You get a cool outcome with text, images and interesting style. Would I choose to do all of my web related stuff this way--no. But it is nice to go back to the basics sometimes.
Stay Golden

Creative Commons

So, in honor of the Creative Commons/Copyright assignment I thought I would share a picture I found on Flickr.

Photo by Nicole Writes at http://www.flickr.com/photos/newspapers/4184082288/

That is a massive Peep! I would be sick for days because I know I would try to eat the whole thing in one sitting.
But seriously, copyright is an interesting and sometimes tricky thing. Really after this week's information on Creative Commons I have found myself a little more comfortable.
The ideas mentioned in the section about "Copyright in NC Schools"  have eased my worried thoughts of the Copyright Police knocking down my door every time I use a picture of Sponge Bob or Hannah Montana on the Smart Board.

Stay golden.

Did you know...

In 1953, it took 27 hours to create one Marshmallow Peep. Today, it takes six minutes. 

Hey Folks! True to my oddball form I decided to open my blog with a random fact. I love me some Peeps. Get a pack and open them, let them go stale, then enjoy. 
Okay, so I promise that some of my next posts will have to do with technology and ECI719, but since this is a tester post I thought  I'd keep it lighthearted. Until I see you next time, stay golden. 


Paul


PS Do you like Peeps?